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Posts tagged ‘Connor’

It’s a new round of RoW80, a new month, and a new project to work on. That is the next story in my Gilbert, Co series. I wrote parts of this years ago. Back then it was actually book 3 in the series, now it’s book 8(not counting the novellas). If you read book 1, Duty to Protect, you’ll recognize the main character. Except he was sixteen in that one. This one takes place about five years later.

It hasn’t been a bad start to the month, though I haven’t made as much progress as I’d hope. Still, it’s only the first Wednesday. Last night we went and watched fireworks set off over Presque Isle Bay. Fireworks are not my favorite thing, but the kids enjoyed it. We got there 2 hours early, the display only lasted 20 minutes, then we waited another hour just to get out of the parking lot. More fireworks Friday for a local festival and then our community is doing their fourth of July fireworks on the 7th.

I don’t have a whole lot of Nowhere to Run written yet, so I am going to share a little more from Flames of Knowledge. This actually happens a little bit before last week’s.

He put his hand over theirs, and Ames jerked slightly. “Sorry,” they said and started to pull their hand away. “I shouldn’t have…”
They trailed off when he tightened his hand over theirs. “Don’t,” he said, his voice coming out hoarse. “Please don’t.”
Their eyes widened slightly, but their hand stayed there, relaxing in his grip. Even when he let go, Ames kept the hand right where it was. “Do you feel that?” he asked. “No one else has done that to me. Not in a long time.” Ever maybe. But, that felt like too much to admit. This soon at least.
“A rapidly beating heart is not a good thing, Connor. It means your heart’s trying to work too hard.”
His lips curled up. “This is what I get. I am often too literal, and when I try to expose myself, it gets thrown back in my face.”
Ames’ lips quirked. “You better not be exposing yourself outside this apartment, or your brother might have to arrest you.”
His mouth fell open then he’d realized exactly what he’d said and laughed. When he rested his forehead against theirs, he said, “You know that is not what I meant. I’m trying to tell you something, Ames.”
“I know,” they said, smiling up at him. “I’m trying to not let you get too serious.”
“Too late. Ask anyone in my family, I’ve always been too serious.”
Ames smiled and ran their thumb along his lips. “I don’t know about that. You lighten up occasionally.”
The more they touched him, the faster the blood seemed to rush through him. He wasn’t used to this. He got turned on occasionally, but never this quick. Then again, maybe it wasn’t quick. He and Ames had been dancing around each other for more than two months now. Still, he didn’t want to make the wrong move.

Well, it’s almost the end of the month. And the RoW80 round ended last week. And just this morning, I wrote ‘The End’ on Flames of Knowledge! So, lots of ending going on around here.

Not a whole lot else going on. Got the kids’ report cards on Thursday. Both were great. Essentially all “A”s(they don’t actually use a letter grade anymore. it’s: Advanced, Proficient, Approaching Proficient, Basic, and Below Basic). The lowest either of them got this year was proficient. They were both promoted to the next grade(obviously) so I now have a 2nd & 5th grader. But first 2 more months of summer vacation to go.

Since I finished the first draft this morning, this will be the last snippet I share from Flames of Knowledge. At least until it makes it to the top of my editing list. I have 10 paragraphs(2+7=9+ 1 celebratory bonus one).

When he stepped outside, he nearly ran into Silas. “What are you doing here?” Connor asked him.
“Coming to see you. Jer’s at the station, and Corrin might as well have been swallowed by her computer.”
“Aw, and poor Silas didn’t have anyone to lavish him with attention?”
Silas laughed and lightly punched Connor’s shoulder. “Gio’s right. You are a brat.”
“Sorry. That was mean.”
Silas shook his head. “No, it was good. You don’t usually come up with those so easily. Maybe Ames is good for you.”
Connor could feel his cheeks heating by the minute. “So, why did you come by? I’m sure you have other people to keep you company.”
“But, I wanted to see you. Anyway, most of them don’t understand what I have with Jeremiah and Corrin. You know scientists. So logical.” He let out a mock shudder.
“Silas, I don’t understand what you have with them.”
“But, you accept it. That’s the difference.”

I didn’t even realize Silas and Connor were friends until I started planning this one out. So, I’ll probably have to go back through Playing with Fire and work that friendship in more. I guess that is one good thing about being so far ahead in writing the series, I can go back and add things when I realize something new about the characters who keep popping up.

Color Code

Goal Met

Progress

Nothing Done

Set Aside

Plotting:

Primary: Flames of Knowledge – Outline Act 4

Secondary: Heart to Heart – Brainstorm

Tertiary: Heart to Heart – Character Back Stories–

Stretch: Heart to Heart – Plot Summaries–

Stretch2: Heart to Heart – Story Toolkit – 6/19 sheets

This Week – Sheet 3(also sheet 4, 5a, & 5b)

Writing:

Primary: Flames of Knowledge – 1st draft– 19996/~20000 words – so close, but the first draft is done!

It’s the last day of Story a Day, and today’s prompt was to write a story about a creative person who has just completed, or is in the throes of completing a massive creative effort. I used characters from my current novel project, Flames of Knowledge. Connor is a painter and he’s been getting ready for an art show. This will come close to the end of the story, which I’m not quite to yet, but hopefully by the end of June.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Connor stepped back away from the easel. He studied the canvas intently, hardly breathing for a moment. Waiting for that feeling that something just wasn’t right. It usually swamped him when he first finished a painting. Until he tried to see it through someone else’s eyes.
It didn’t come this time. There was no doubt that everything about this painting was perfect. He took a few steps back and sank down onto the stool he’d pushed away when he’d been sucked into the frenzy of finishing this.
That was it. He was done now. All the paintings that had been ruined were replaced in time for the show. Once the painting was dry and sealed, he could take it to Dev at the gallery, and she could figure out what to do with them. He only had to show up for the show now.
He’d expected to feel satisfied, and he did. But, he hadn’t expected to feel quite so drained. It happened sometimes when he’d painted for hours on end. But, never quite like this.
He felt like he could sleep for at least a full day. And he usually didn’t sleep more than six hours, often quite a bit less at a time. He barely heard the footsteps but felt Ames’ arm wrap around his shoulders.
“God, Connor,” they said, and he could hear the awe in their voice. “Is that truly the way you see me?”
“As the most splendid person I’ve ever laid my eyes on? Absolutely. You’re a masterpiece I couldn’t dare to try to improve on.”
They shoved his shoulder and laughed. “And you keep trying to insist you don’t know how to flirt.”
“It’s nothing but the truth.” And he was determined to show them just how stunning he found them as long as Ames continued to give him that privilege.
Ames tugged him up off the truth. “Come on. I can see how exhausted you are now. You can get that ready to go to Dev later. Let’s go to bed now.”
Now that sounded like a pretty good idea to him.

This week isn’t going quite as well as the last one did. I’m still making slow progress, though. Sunday we went down to the local ice cream place and took both dogs with us. They give a special doggie ice cream(a small cup of vanilla with a milk bone on top). That was an experience. Our older dog stayed in the backseat of the truck, but kept going from window to window. Our younger dog, however…sitting on the girl, then climbing over the boy’s lap then into the front and climbing all over me. And it was much the same on the way back. I still have a small scratch on my leg today from him.

The Baron Bridge 😉

We didn’t really do much Monday. Husband had to work in the morning. I started doing the week’s laundry, though I decided to wait until Tuesday to worry about any of the other chores. The second load was on the second rinse cycle when the washer started making a grinding noise. I threw my clothes, sopping wet, into the dryer, since I couldn’t figure out what was wrong and they were just about done anyway. It took about 2 hours for them to dry, though. Husband did some research when he got home and thinks it’s a plastic coupler on the motor(I think is what he said). The washer is almost 12 years old, and it’s the first we’ve had a problem with it. He ordered the parts, but they’re not supposed to be here until Monday. Our neighbor is letting me use her washer today for the kids’ clothes, at least. Hopefully we’ll have it fixed next week.

But, right now, it’s time for WiPPet Wednesday!! I’m still working on this week’s goal for Flames of Knowledge, so I’ll be sharing from that this week. I have 30 sentences today(Too hot to do more complicated math). Connor went to the pub to talk to his cousin(Gio, who you may remember) and Ames comes in with some of the firefighters from the station to celebrate their birthday. When Connor learns this, he decides to sketch a picture and get it to Ames.

He saw they’d smudged a line of the face and instantly dug a pencil and eraser from his bag. “It’s okay,” he said. “I can fix it.”
Ames jerked their head up and stared at him. “You did this?”
He suddenly found it hard to swallow. “Yeah. It was just real quick. It’s not a big deal.”
He could feel their eyes on him as he bent over the paper and touched up the line that had been smudged. Then, he took a step back. If they didn’t like it, he didn’t know what he was going to do. Probably run out and find a hole he could bury himself in until the embarrassment finally faded away.
“If this was real quick, what would it be like when you take your time?”
There were a few chuckles around him, and Connor guessed there was an innuendo in there. Those so often flew over his head, but he just kept his gaze on the paper in front of him. “Better,” he said.
There was more laughter, and he felt one elbow nudge him, but he turned away. “Sorry. I’ll go. I wasn’t invited. I just wanted you to have that. I…I’ll go,” he said again, knowing he sounded like an idiot but not sure what else to do.
“No, wait,” Ames said.
Connor was pretty sure he stopped breathing. But, no, then he would pass out and hit the floor. At least there were plenty of people with emergency medical training on the premises.
“Why don’t you join us?”
His knees felt a little weak, so he dropped into the closest chair. At least that would keep him from hitting the floor too hard.

Color Code:

Finished/Monthly Goal Met

Progress

Nothing Done

Set Aside

Plotting:

Primary: Craving You – Story Toolkit

Secondary: Craving You – Outline Act 1

This week: Outline act 1, list rest of chapter & scenes

Tertiary: Flames of Knowledge – Outline Acts 3

Stretch: Heart to Heart – Brainstorm

Writing

Primary: Flames of Knowledge – Chapter 28 – 13370/~15000 words

This Week: Get through Chapter 28 – Through Chapter 27/28

Side Projects – 3350 words– 4566/3350 words

This Week: Riley Fire – Edit, Hawk – add 1000 words

Jonas & Isaac – 15 pages– 19.67/15 pages

This week: 3/0 pages

By the Gun – 6 scenes

Editing

Primary: Flames of Renewal – Beta edits(I wasn’t sure if I’d get these back before the end of the month, so I hadn’t initially included it. But I did)

This week started out slow. Monday I woke late, and didn’t have time to get any of my ‘first thing in the morning’ writing done. Which always tends to throw me off. I did manage a little writing later in the morning, but my usual focus just wasn’t there. I did keep on track with Story a Day and I was able to do some plotting and work on Jonas & Isaac’s story in the notebook. But my other goals didn’t really happen.

Tuesday I woke up with my alarm and to an email from my beta reader for Flames of Renewal. So, a much better start to the day. 🙂 I did get more written though not nearly as much as I wanted to. It doesn’t seem to matter how much I tell my brain it’s time to work this week, it goes “but wouldn’t just reading be more fun.” Well, sure, but that doesn’t mean I can just forget about everything else. Stupid brain.

We’ll see if I can do better today. Though it’s been another slow start. Hopefully it’ll pick up.

Now, it’s time for another WiPPetWednesday! Today I only have one snippet for you. Still working on Jonas & Isaac and things are getting pretty intense there. But, for now, I’m just going to share from Flames of Knowledge. Today I have 9 paragraphs where Silas shows up at Connor’s apartment(I was actually struggling until Silas showed up. He’s such a scene stealer).

“Did you just want to touch all my things, or is there a valid reason you’re here?” He didn’t mean to sound impatient, but he really wanted to get back to his canvas, now that he had a vision clear in his head.
Silas turned toward him and winked. “I wouldn’t mind touching your things, Connor, but I can only handle one Riley at a time. And Corrin’s taking up that spot.”
Connor’s face suddenly felt on fire. He hadn’t even realized there would be an innuendo for Silas to pick up. Of course, sometimes he thought the other man plucked them right out of the air. “That’s not what I meant.”
Silas snickered. “I know, but you made it too easy. What have you been up to? I imagine it isn’t letting anyone else touch your things. Lin said you haven’t been by the group lately.”
Connor could feel his face flushing hot again. “The beginning of the semester has been chaotic.”
“Lin’s just been worried. Are you sure everything’s okay?”
“Yeah, of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Because you’re acting weird.” He grinned. “Weirder than usual, I mean.”
“Haha, very funny,” Connor commented. “And I’m not acting weird.”

I seem to be falling behind on goals at the beginning of this month. I really don’t like that feeling, even though I have time to catch up. I’ve been having trouble waking up with my alarm the last couple days, leaving me not much time to write before the kids wake up. And that tends to be my best writing time. I did manage to finish Camp NaNo on time, but only because I cut my initial goal in half. I’m still working on Monday’s chapter today(finished it between writing that and posting). But, I’m hoping to start getting caught up.

Checking things out the open window

Some of the stress that may have been eating away at my focus the last few months may ease up soon. Husband was offered a new job. We’ve really been struggling this winter. He didn’t make as much money last year, so we weren’t as far ahead when he got laid off in November. And when our mortgage is almost as much as one unemployment payment(which we get every 2 weeks), we’ve fallen behind. Tax refund helped, but not quite enough. This new job is actually less $ an hour than he’s making now, but it’s guaranteed hours(between 55-60 every week). Right now, he’s not even getting 40 hours a week, and may not until June, if then. And it’s year round, so we won’t have to deal with unemployment every winter. He hasn’t officially accepted, but when we talked about it yesterday, neither of us saw a reason to turn it down.

Enough of all that. It’s time for WiPPet Wednesday again!! Thanks to the inimitable Emily Wrayburn for hosting this each week! I’m doubling up again this week. Since it’s 5/2, I once again have 5 paragraphs from each of my 2 projects. As usual, first up is Jonas & Isaac. And they aren’t exactly following Arcelia’s order to not do anything she wouldn’t from last week:

“Isn’t this a part of your body?” Isaac asked, kissing under his chin. “And here.” The corner of his jaw. “Or here.” Just under his ear.

“Is,” Jonas hissed as Isaac sucked on that patch of skin. “Please. Down further.”

Isaac’s lips brushed the front of his shoulder. “This far enough?”

“No, damn it,” Jonas growled.

Isaac laughed then his hands moved up under Jonas’ shirt, his fingers just tickling under the other man’s ribs. He could feel his body taut under him, one part straining more than the rest. He knew that was the part Jonas really wanted touched, but this game of teasing was too much fun.

Mean, mean Isaac. Not that Jonas is complaining too much. 😉

And for Flames of Knowledge. Connor’s older brother has come by and is trying to talk him into joining a family thing. He was a bit hesitant as their family gatherings tend to be large and he’s unsettled around a lot of people, even family(Yes, I’ve thrown personal experience into aspects of this character).

Connor wasn’t sure about the glint in Adrian’s eyes. But, he’d been in as soon as he mentioned the firefighters. Ames wasn’t one, but they worked with them. So, maybe they’d be there as well.
“Yeah, I’ll come,” he said, hoping he didn’t sound too eager about it.
“You might want to wash up first,” Adrian said with a smirk. “You’ve got paint in your hair.”
“How?” Connor said, exasperated. “I didn’t even actually paint today.”
Adrian roared with laughter as Connor headed into the bathroom. At least someone got a kick out of this. No wonder Ames didn’t want anything to do with him. He was an utter mess.

That’s not it at all, Connor. And Ames will want something to do with you. Just give them a chance. 😉

I’m not quite sure how to categorize this week. I’ve been making some progress. Nothing too exciting. But, I’m staying fairly well on track with my goals.

Monday my husband had a job interview. They still haven’t started back at his current job. Usually they’re back to work by early in April. They’re thinking it will be May before they start back now, and as of right now, they don’t have many jobs lined up. So, he’s looking for something that will be year round. Dealing with unemployment for at least four months out of the year is getting stressful. He’s got an application in at another place, too, so hopefully he’ll hear something from one of them.

The kids brought home report cards Friday. Other than an 89 in math, the girl had nearly perfect grades(99% in writing, 100 in reading/vocab, science/social studies, & word study). The boy had grades all in the “advanced” range(93-100%) in math, reading, and word study. And proficient through his writing rubric. So, they’re both doing good.

I’m doing a double shot for WiPPet Wednesday again. Today is 4/18, so I took 4+18=22. So, I’ll take one 2 from the 22 for each project. First, we have more from Jonas & Isaac. Isaac is on his way to Jonas’ now. And thinks he sees someone following him.

“Letting your fear get to you again,” he murmured. He needed to stop that. His father was not following him through the city. He’d only wanted to frighten Isaac the other day.

And it had worked. He couldn’t let it anymore.

Is Isaac right? Or does he have reason to worry?

And for Flames of Knowledge. This is from the next scene from what I shared from last week, in Ames’ POV now.

They doubted Connor ever would, especially with the family he came from. So, there was no point going there. No matter how cute he looked with those glasses on, and was that paint in his hair?
Ames nearly laughed at the sight but turned away instead. Better that way. No need to get their hopes up only to have them dashed as so many people had before. Sometimes living on their own was just the easier way to go, even if Ames wouldn’t mind the closeness they’d seen between couples. Maybe it just wasn’t meant for them.

Connor had a very similar thought in the scene before. And they may both just be a little bit wrong. 🙂

Now, for my progress:

Color Code:

Finished/Monthly Goal Met

Progress

Nothing Done

Set Aside

Plotting:

Primary: Nowhere to Run – Outline

This week: List all scenes in Scrivener,Outline Act 1

Secondary: Craving You – Outline

This week: Erik’s back story, Jeff’s back story

Tertiary: Flames of Knowledge – Outline Acts 2, 3, & 4

This week: Outline Act 2

Stretch: Heart to Heart – Brainstorm

Writing:

Primary: Flames of Knowledge – Chapter 21/42 – 19836/~35000 words

This week: Through Chapter 15/21 – Through Chapter 12/15, started Chapter 13